As you can imagine, expansion on exposure to water makes fibre tap washers very effective tap sealants. In addition, the fibre versions are usually easier to compress than their nylon or rubber counterparts so they’re less at risk from damage due to over-tightening. Without getting too technical, tap washers create a barrier between the seat of the tap and its spout. When the handle is turned on (or ‘open’), the washer is raised to allow water through. When the handle is turned to off (or ‘closed’), the washer lowers to form the barrier again. The more you turn the handle, the more the washer moves, increasing or decreasing the strength of the water flow. What Are The Types of Bath Tap Washer? Remove the Existing Washer: First, turn off the water supply to avoid a minor flood. Then, you'll need to dismantle the tap. This usually involves removing the handle and unscrewing the valve from the tap base. Once you've done this, you should be able to access and remove the washer.

If you’re going to be fitting a standard tap washer, rather than a ceramic, you need to choose the material you’re going to use. This decision is based on several factors, including what is available, and what the tap will be used for. It might be a small piece of your kitchen tap, but getting the right washer is crucial for a leak-free tap! Your toolbox should have a few sets of pliers, slot and crosshead screwdrivers, some penetrating oil, a wrench and spanners of various sizes, or one adjustable spanner. Having some rags to hand in case of unexpected spills is also a good idea. Who hasn't used a few profanities after seeing oil dripping out of a driveshaft or the engine of a chainsaw or strimmer...? Lip seals are designed to seal in oil and are able to withstand fast and repeated rotations. Only a lip seal is able to seal a moving part against a stationary supporting surface (i.e. housing or casing).We’ll begin our disassembly by taking off the tap’s handle to expose its juicy inner workings. All taps feature some kind of release screw, which allows you to remove the handle and access the valve housed within. Bath pillar taps, for example, often include a cap on top of the handle that can be pried off with a flathead screwdriver, revealing the screw beneath. Easy Installation: Rubber washers are easy to install and require minimal adjustment, making them a convenient and reliable choice for securing valuable connections. Explore Our Range: Look under the tap for an isolation valve to turn off the specific water supply, and if you can’t see one, switch off the water mains. Either way, open the tap to drain any water left in the pipes. If you’re working on a hot water tap, you’ll need to shut off the immersion heater and boiler too. You’ll find the washer directly under the valve where it will be held in place with either a nut or a screw. Use your spanner and pliers to remove the washer too or, if this is too difficult, put penetrating oils around it. Leave the washer to soak for a while before trying again. Tap washers are mainly differentiated through their size and the material they’re constructed from. Different sizes of taps require differently sized washers, while the material is really dependent on the whim of the tap’s manufacturer. Washers need to be durable, flexible and, of course, highly resistant to water, which means they’re usually made from any one of the following:

These O rings are heat-resistant and compatible with petroleum and silicone fluids. They are commonly used to contain hydraulic fluids as well as non-aromatic fluids and solvents. Common O ring usesWhen the flow valve opens, the pressurised mains water that is held within the plumbing system passes through the tap spout. As the tap handle turns more, the rotating screw forces the washer further up and opens the flow valve more, allowing for control of the flow volume and speed.

Piston seals (dynamic): designed to slot into a cylinder groove as the piston slides in the cylinder, these O rings deal have to withstand radial compression. EPDM Rubber Washers: EPDM rubber washers provide a comparatively tougher and stronger washer, with the capacity for greater shore hardness. EPDM rubber washers also provide better resistance to weathering, ozone and UV exposure. They also possess a good resistance to acids. This helps these rubber washers to maintain their properties over time, especially when used in outdoor applications or under constant mechanical stress. Core Applications of Rubber Washers: Even if you don’t consider yourself a DIY-savvy individual, changing a tap washer is well within your capabilities. All you need is a few basic tools and a spare half hour or so, and our simple, step-by-step guide will see you through. What Equipment Do I Need to Change A Bath Tap Washer? Telling what size washer you need for your kitchen tap may initially appear complex, but with a few easy steps, you can figure it out:

Tap washers

If the valve is worn, the new washer won’t seal effectively. If this is the case, you need to remove and replace the valve too. Unscrew it with the aid of a spanner if necessary and use it as a visual aid to make sure you buy a new one of the same size, either online or at a land-based location. Manufacturer Specifications: Different manufacturers may have unique specifications and require different washer sizes, even for the same type of tap. Not all taps have their own isolation valve, so you might have to just switch off your main water supply instead. If you’re working on a hot water or mixer tap, make sure to turn your boiler or immersion heater off as well. Once you’ve isolated the tap from its water supply, turn the handle into the on position to let out any residual water. When the tap runs dry, you’re all good to go.

Measure the Washer: Measure the diameter of the old washer using a ruler or tape measure. Washers are typically measured in inches, and the standard sizes for kitchen taps in the UK are generally ½ inch (12.7mm) or ¾ inch (19.05mm). Common domestic pipe sizes were 1/2" BSP and 3/4" BSP. Given that these referred to the internal bore meant that the outside diameter of the pipes was the internal diameter plus twice the wall size. Thus: The whole lip seal is lodged into a housing around which a shaft or transmission will turn. These washers are designed to prevent any drop of lubricant from passing through and must be replaced in case of leaks. Finally, because nylon is quite stiff, some professionals prefer to use it with softer metals like brass than on very hard metals. If the washer, the tap seat and the spout are all rigid, they can combine to create excess resistance. The washer will distort and turning the tap will be difficult.When it comes to longevity and function in tap washers, rubber is considered to share many of the properties of nylon, although overall it is a much softer and more pliant material. This can mean that it creates a more effective seal against certain harder materials, or where there is more surface irregularity.